Credentialling of hospital medical staff

This article is a brief account of what is meant by credentialling and what hospitals have to do to make credentialling an effective, rather than a token, exercise. Credentialling is a key element in reducing the risk of litigation for hospitals and the doctors who work in them. This article provides a history of this initiative in Australia and describes the context in which many hospitals find themselves from time to time. The relationship between appointing doctors and credentialling them is discussed and emphasis is placed on the structured process that is essential if difficulties, including legal ones, are to be avoided. A brief account of the various methods used is given.